Eating disorder sufferers have launched legal proceeding against plans to close a service helping patients with the condition

The annual audit was for patients who were diagnosed and treated for lung cancer during 2012

Eating disorder sufferers have submitted a legal challenge to NHS chiefs over a decision to close a service for those with the condition.

Two young women who have received treatment at the Richardson Eating Disorder Service (REDS) at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary have officially issued legal proceedings against Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW) and NHS England.

Plans are in place to axe the award-winning REDS as it will be replaced later this year with a new intensive day unit at Walkergate Park in Newcastle.

The decision will see 10 inpatient beds at REDS disappear meaning that some North East patients with severe eating disorders may have to be treated in units outside the region.

Simon Garlick, of Ben Hoare Bell solicitors, who acts for both claimants, said: “This case is above all about the failure of the NHS to be transparent in its decision making. NTW decided to close REDS without involving eating disorder patients, carers or the public as the NHS Act 2006 obliges them to do.

“NHS England, whose job it is to decide who should provide inpatient eating services and where, are under a duty – set out in both the NHS Act and the NHS Constitution - when developing policies, to consult with patients and the public. Instead of doing this they have developed policy behind closed doors and then failed even to tell patients, carers or the public what those policies are.

“My clients believe that the decision to close REDS needs to be suspended whilst NHS England goes back to the drawing board and consults properly with its patients and the public about how these complex services are best organised.”

More than 100 people are believed to currently use REDS as out patients, day patients and inpatients.

A spokesman for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust Board of Directors is conscious of the issues surrounding this service and have a number of meetings planned to consider the way we provide care in the best interests of local people.”

Until the end of last year, REDS was allowed to admit patients when the 15 beds at the nearest centre in Darlington were full. But restrictions has seen local eating disorder sufferers sent to units as far afield as Leeds and Sheffield.

NHS England has insisted that treating people with eating disorders is best provided at regional centres of excellence and says this is what is happening in the region with the Darlington unit. A spokesman said it was unable to comment while the legal proceedings were taking place.

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